“Now, gentlemen,” cried Peace, after a pause, “make yourselves at home—do just as you like. Whittock, see to your friends, and help them to all they require. Possibly you know more of their habits than I do.”
“They are very well able to take care of themselves,” said Mr. Whittock. “If they don’t have all they want it’s their own fault.”
One of the personages introduced by Whittock has been already introduced to the reader; the other was a Mr. Corbet, who had been a captain to one of the American steamers.
He was a weather-beaten, self-reliant man, who, albeit mixing with the company, had not as yet spoken a great deal.
His friend, Whittock, however, was anxious to draw him out, for when once Mr. Corbet did let loose the jawing tackle, he went in for a “pelter.”
“This old pirate could spin a few yarns if he chose,” said Whittock, nodding towards the party to whom he was alluding.
“Anyone can see that,” observed one of the company. “Hang it, Jenkins, you’ve trumped my trick,” he added, in a petulant tone, addressing himself to his partner.
“I beg your pardon, I’m sure,” returned Jenkins, apologetically. “How very foolish of me to be sure, I don’t know what I could have been thinking about.”
“Spin us a yarn, Corbet, and stop this wrangling,” cried Whittock.
“I aint up to it,” said the captain. “Besides, my experience is chiefly confined to foreign parts, as people are apt to observe.”